Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise

83%
Game Brain Score Based on 158 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise Game Cover
A striking and surprising mashup of a long running game series and even longer running anime proves that the Yakuza studio shows no signs of slowing down.
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"Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise" is a high-octane action-adventure RPG based on the classic manga, where players control Kenshiro in an alternate universe, using his "Hokuto Shinken" techniques to battle through throngs of enemies. The game features a vast open world filled with side quests, world-building moments, and humorous minigames, such as buggy races and rhythm-based chiropractic sessions. In this version, Kenshiro searches for his lost love Yuria in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, exploring diverse adventures beyond combat.

  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

83%
Audience ScoreBased on 158 reviews
story22 positive mentions
grinding2 negative mentions
  • Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise offers thrilling combat and a variety of entertaining side content, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of both the Yakuza series and the Fist of the North Star franchise.
  • The game features a fun and engaging story, with memorable characters and absurd humor that captures the essence of the original manga and anime.
  • Players can enjoy a satisfying progression system, with numerous mini-games and side quests that enhance the overall gameplay experience.
  • The game suffers from pacing issues, with long, unskippable cutscenes and tedious fetch quests that can detract from the overall enjoyment.
  • Visuals are somewhat dated and lack the polish seen in mainline Yakuza titles, which may disappoint some players.
  • Combat can feel repetitive at times, especially in the early stages, and driving mechanics are not very engaging.
  • story59 mentions

    The story in the game is engaging and accessible, blending elements from the "Fist of the North Star" universe with a mix of humor and action, though it may feel shallow at times. Players appreciate the balance of main narrative and numerous side quests, which add depth and variety to the gameplay experience. While fans of the original series may find more to enjoy, newcomers can still appreciate the entertaining and somewhat straightforward storyline.

    • “The story is interesting and I’m excited to see where it takes Kenshiro, the main protagonist, and his allies and enemies.”
    • “Even though some things may feel repetitive, you will have a fun time with an engrossing story and fun side minigames.”
    • “Very cool story to play through and a good amount of humor to balance it out without becoming ridiculous.”
    • “The story is very bare and the activities aren't as nuanced as a regular Ryu Ga Gotoku game.”
    • “This one bombs you with busy work and weak story.”
    • “Did the tutorial, was cool, but then maybe forty minutes of mandatory fetch quests where I was just trying to find out who I was supposed to talk to next, a fight, more dialogue, then more tutorials.”
  • gameplay36 mentions

    The gameplay in the Yakuza series, particularly in titles like Yakuza Kiwami and Yakuza 0, is characterized by a semi-open world filled with engaging quests, mini-games, and top-notch fighting mechanics that blend action and RPG elements. While many players appreciate the nostalgic feel and the depth of activities available, some criticize the repetitiveness and occasional frustrations with certain mechanics, such as driving. Overall, fans of the franchise find the gameplay enjoyable and immersive, though newcomers may not fully appreciate it without prior knowledge of the series.

    • “With Yakuza 0, Kiwami 1 & 2 played, I feel like there is the same surefire spirit of the underlying gameplay and characteristics intact, but with an entirely new cast of characters and the same engrossing line of play you have come to expect.”
    • “From Sega, this game engine is very similar to the Yakuza series, which contains not only action but RPG gameplay and mini sub-stories where you have to use your brain rather than your fist, which is very good and will keep you busy for hours.”
    • “Great gameplay, all of the goods of a Yakuza game but in Kenshiro's world.”
    • “Errors and slow gameplay with monotonous fights against the same four enemies.”
    • “Gameplay is very repetitive and boring and not rewarding at all.”
    • “Having to complete certain activities like racing is frustrating to me, especially since the driving mechanics are dreadful.”
  • graphics12 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the aesthetic redesign to fit the manga/anime style and noting enhancements on the PS4 Pro, while others criticize the character design and environments as amateurish and lacking effort. Overall, the visuals are described as fantastic by some, particularly for the main character, but also show signs of being dated and rough around the edges.

    • “This game is essentially a Yakuza title redesigned aesthetically to fit the long-time, popular manga/anime series.”
    • “Graphics 8/10 - Playing this on a PS4 Pro, I am glad to see that super-sampling is enabled, as Yakuza 0 did not have any enhancements despite being released in 2017.”
    • “The graphics are fantastic and wonderful to look at throughout the game; Kenshiro looks totally phenomenal compared to everyone else in the game (probably because he’s the main character).”
    • “Amateurish and ugly graphics, boring environment, and poor gameplay.”
    • “Graphics and character design are really bad; you'd think they were drawn by a child.”
    • “They didn't put any effort into the art and graphic design of this game.”
  • humor9 mentions

    The humor in the game is a notable highlight, featuring a mix of shameless and absurd comedic elements that enhance the bartending experience and balance the narrative. While some mini-games provide initial laughs, they can become repetitive, and overall, the humor is enjoyable but not as consistently engaging as in the Yakuza series. Players appreciate the blend of humor with a gripping story, making for a fun and entertaining experience.

    • “Bartending is more enjoyable, with some humorous scenes and even more humorous techniques.”
    • “Very cool story to play through and a good amount of humor to balance it out without becoming ridiculous.”
    • “It's shameless and hilarious, and I love it.”
  • music7 mentions

    The music in the game has received high praise for its quality and integration with the overall tone, particularly highlighting the Japanese voice acting over the dub. Reviewers appreciate the soundtrack's ability to enhance the gaming experience, with some even finding the club music soothing enough to fall asleep to. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature that complements the game's engaging storyline and gameplay.

    • “Sega always has produced good soundtracks to go with their games, and I really like their Hokuto style version of 'Receive You'.”
    • “The music is great, the voice acting is great in the Japanese (skip the dub, who even asked for it?), they really married the feel and tone of FOTNS and Yakuza perfectly; it really is something to behold.”
    • “Great storyline, great music, just great all in all. I'd even say this is better than most Yakuza games I've played simply because of the character progression and the freedom you get with the driving feature; definitely a must-have.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly due to random fights and unskippable cutscenes that disrupt the flow of gameplay. While some more patient gamers may appreciate the experience, many reviewers express frustration with the repetitive nature of these encounters.

    • “You also get into random fights, which are tedious.”
    • “More patient gamers might enjoy this game, but I found it tedious due to the unskippable cutscenes and frequent character dialogue scenes.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise effectively balances its intense anime violence with heartwarming moments, providing players with emotional relief amidst the brutality. Fans of the franchise will appreciate the blend of gore and character-driven storytelling that enhances the overall experience.

    • “All in all, if you are a fan of gratuitous anime violence coupled with some heartwarming moments that alleviate some of the guilt, 'Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise' is the right game for you.”
    • “The blood and gore, the QTE-based combat, character customization, and faithful adherence to the franchise are all present, but it's the heartwarming moments that truly stand out.”
  • stability1 mentions

    The stability of the game is generally well-received, with players enjoying the seamless experience of engaging in battles against multiple enemies while navigating the environment, indicating a smooth performance during intense gameplay scenarios.

  • character development1 mentions

    The character development has been criticized for its poor graphics and design, with some users likening the visuals to those created by a child, indicating a lack of depth and quality in the character portrayal.

    • “The character development feels shallow and uninspired, making it hard to connect with anyone in the game.”
    • “I was disappointed by the lack of meaningful choices that affect character growth; it feels like a missed opportunity.”
    • “The characters are one-dimensional and lack any real depth, which makes the story feel flat.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

72% average critic score

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